Interesting facts about rubber

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Interesting facts about rubber

The popular manufacturing staple, rubber, forms the basis of a host of products found in our homes and the work place. The first documented use of rubber was by the Olmecs, who formed part of the Aztecs. They boiled latex from the Hevea Brasiliensis (rubber) tree to form a ball that they could use to play games. From tyres, to balloons and even rubber gumboots, this versatile material has evolved significantly over time.

Here are a few more interesting facts about the humble material, that is rubber:

Southeast Asian countries are the largest manufacturers of rubber worldwide.

Rubber can be vulcanised. This means that sulfur can be used to strengthen the bonds between molecules, making it more resistant to wear and tear.

Rubber gumboots were invented in 1852 when Hiram Hutchinson met with Charles Goodyear, who had just invented the vulcanisation process of natural rubber.

Most of the rubber produced today is synthetic. This means it is man made and not of natural origin.

The first synthetic rubber (suitable for tyres) was made from styrene and butadiene and was synthesized at I.G. Farben in the Soviet Union. It was called styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR).

Rubber can be found in mixtures that are used for construction projects and the building of roads. For example major highways.

Rubber is even found in clothing and accessories. These include anything from elastic bands to the soles of shoes to provide stability and protection.

It can be used as a seal in things like car doors, car windows, refrigerator doors, and camera lenses. This is because it is great at preventing leakage of liquids and gases.

You can recycle rubber! It is environmentally friendly and safe to recycle, which helps to keep tyres out of landfill sites.

Recycling it can create new forms of fuel similar to petroleum-based fuels and coal.

Here at Wayne, we utilise Polyurethane (PU), a kind of man-made rubber to manufacture some of our protective gumboots. These offer boots that are lighter to wear and longer lasting than PVC boots. For more information on our comprehensive ranges, call us today on +27 11 671 0200 or visit our website www.wayne-safety.com.